Change is Coming

I love fall for so many reasons; one is that you see so many things changing ... the leaves on the trees, the grass, the temperature, store decor and so on.

I have always been a person who welcomes change, but as I reflect on the last 7 years here at Mercy Church, where I serve as senior pastor, I've played it very safe ... too safe, if I am honest. In our short 7 year history we have been meeting in the same location here in Olathe (we did move after our first year across the parking lot to the high school to better facilitate our growth at that time) but other than that the only sizable change was a name change back in late 2008 which was a much needed change to have our name more reflective of who we were as a church rather than the city we held our services in. I personally didn't see this as a real big change ... it wasn't like we were a 100 year old established church with a real established history in the community and an expensive church sign to re-do, we were (are) a mobile church with only 6 years under our belt and a wrong name (not to mention that there are 12 other churches within a few miles of us with a similar name.)

We, like any other progressive church in America, have also made minor changes here and there in an attempt to improve our services and leadership ... but this isn't any different than what any organization would do in trying to fulfill the company vision and purpose for existing. We are no different!

I have been having many one on one conversations with members, regular attenders and leaders here at Mercy about where do we go from here ... God's plan, God's vision ... where is God leading ... what is God doing, saying ... where is God leading us. I am asking God many questions these days to get a clear answer for our future.

I like many of you reading this want your church to be effective in reaching the lost, and making disciples of those already found ... we all want to be a part of a church that is doing it's part in fulfilling the great commission. I am sure you understand that each church has a particular role to play in the great commission ... the question is WHAT IS YOUR part and ARE YOU DOING IT? And if not, then there MUST BE CHANGE! Somewhere, somehow! You must shake it up!

Here is what I know: If you keep doing what you've always done, where you've always done it, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten (a Timmy original quote - lol!)

So for all of you reading this, if you want 2010 to be different than 2009, then change some things and see what happens! Don't dare stay the same ... if I am honest, that would be stupid!

God bless you as you search for God's next step for you!

S.H.I.T.

“According to a profile in Christianity Today entitled The Positive Prophet, ... I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.” - Tony Campolo

2010 Advent Daily Readings

I was not raised in a church culture that practiced or focused on the Advent Season like more liturgical or traditional churches did ... yet I find it to play a vital role in the life of a Christian.

Our family is doing the daily Advent readings as a devotion and reflection time to educate and engage our children in the story of Jesus ... I encourage you to do the same.

These daily readings were chosen to help capture four main Advent themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. Be encouraged as you read, knowing many others in our church community are reading and reflecting on these themes with you.

Week 1 - Hope

Dec 1 - Psalm 42
Dec 2 - Romans 8v18-27
Dec 3 - Isaiah 11v1-10
Dec 4 - Hebrews 6v13-20
Dec 5 - Psalm 33
Dec 6 - Isaiah 35

Week 2 - Peace

Dec 7 - Isaiah 40v9-11
Dec 8 - Philippians 4v4-7
Dec 9 - Jeremiah 33v7-16
Dec 10 - Isaiah 42v1-9
Dec 11 - Zechariah 9v9-17
Dec 12 - 2 Corinthians 1v2-5
Dec 13 - Isaiah 52v7-10

Week 3 - Joy

Dec 14 - Habakkuk 3
Dec 15 - John 16v5-28
Dec 16 - Isaiah 55v9-13
Dec 17 - Psalm 66
Dec 18 - 1 Peter 1v3-9
Dec 19 - Psalm 96
Dec 20 - Isaiah 12

Week 4 - Love

Dec 21 - Zephaniah 3v14-20
Dec 22 - Psalm 89v1-4
Dec 23 - Ephesians 2v1-10
Dec 24 - Isaiah 9v6-7

The Beatles were Right

All we need is love ... 1 John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Love is the #1 trait that should be present in a Christian's life.

Also, just FYI ... if you ever see a person holding a sign that says, "God Hates ..." and they are claiming to be a Christian ... they are nuts!

Pumpkin Spice & All Things Nice

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

I truly wish you the best this season has to offer ... here are a few things I have learned about HOW TO ENJOY this time of year:

1) Actually Take Off - on Thanksgiving shut the lap top, cell phone, blackberry, or any other device you have that may distract you from your friends and family! PS, that means DON'T GET ON facebook either!

2) Forget About Work - If you are one of those lucky people who work retail, and black Friday is your big day ... don't even think about it till you wake up on Friday.

3) Give Yourself to Your Family - if you are married, then give yourself to your spouse (not just in that way guys! There are other ways to "give yourself to your spouse" ... but nice try!) If you are single, give yourself to your parents ... if you are the parent ... give yourself to your kids ... and finally if you are spending Thanksgiving with friends ... give yourself to them and deepening your friendship!

4) Make God A Priority - We sometimes we wonder why this season is so awesome? It's because of Jesus ... remember Him!

5) And finally, Let Your Hair Down (if you have any ...lol!) - Just have fun ... be crazy, laugh, drink (Vitamin Water of course!), frolic, tell jokes, make up jokes, be goofy, eat, be merry, make a snow angel in your boxers only (j/k!) ...

Enjoy!

Change

Proverbs 22:3 "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."

The word CHANGE is to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. To transform or convert.

There are many times in our life that we must take a hard long look at various aspects of our life and ask; How is it going? If not well, why? What can I do about it? What needs to change? How do I change it? Who can help me change? Etc. Then we must face the fear and take the risks necessary and move forward.

The challenge is that we often get comfortable with the status-quo and say, "well this is the way we've always done it." Even though it's not working, we continue to think that "this time it will be different", and it never is... because "if you keep doing what you've always done you'll keep getting the same results you've always gotten."

So, is there anything in your life that needs to change for 2010? Do you want something to be different in your life? If so, don't be like the "simple" person who just keeps going in the same direction! Be prudent and CHANGE! You will be glad you did!

Church is a Community of People ...

...Not a Building!

Hi, my name is Timmy Gibson and I am a pastor of a mobile church, meaning we do not own a building, we actually rent a school building where "our church" gathers for our weekly worship service.

More and more I am beyond frustrated that people still feel that church is a building. A building with a steeple that is used for church purposes is just a building with the CHURCH meeting there! You take away the people and you just have a building, that's it!

Jesus never said anything about a building being important ... it's people who are important and its the relationships within the church between those people that are truly important and it's people who make up the church!

- I have never known of a church building to stop by the hospital to visit the mother of a newborn!

- I have never known of a church building to come to the hospital to visit the parents of a sick child.

- I have never known a church building to prepare a meal for someone who had surgery and couldn't get around.

- I have never known a church building to go to the graveside of a young couple who had to bury there 1 year old child.

- I have never known a church building to pray with a family who has filed bankruptcy and is unsure of their future.

It's PEOPLE who do that ... PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE CHURCH!

When Life Hurts

What do you do when life hurts?

Great question! I know for me I like to draw close to my family and friends, and most importantly I draw close to God... okay and slam a few shots of Tequila and smoke a pack of Camels. (I am totally kidding about the Tequila and smoking camels... it's what you call a joke ... though no judgment to those who do find that comforting.)

HERE ARE TWO VERSES TO ALWAYS REMEMBER

Matthew 28:20 "...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Hebrew 13:5 "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."

And when life hurts, God is there to hold us.

Thanksgiving with Crazy Family

Thanksgiving is just days away, and Christmas is soon coming so I felt it appropriate to share a few thoughts on HOW TO GET ALONG WITH YOUR CRAZY RELATIVES DURING THE HOLIDAYS!

Every family has it's issues! Let's just be honest here. We are all dysfunctional in some ways... yes, even you! I know that most of my family lives here in KC, or at least within a 30 minute drive from here and there are two Thanksgivings going on because certain relatives can't stand to be in the same room with each other. I feel like I am in grade school again sometimes. I know you know what I am talking about.

Q: So how can you get along with relatives ... even the crazy-nutty ones?

1) Do not bring up touchy subjects! You know what they are... stay away.

2) Refuse to argue. Even if they try to start something, don't! It takes two to argue ... if you refuse to engage them, then they just look the fool.

Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

3) Know that you are not going to change them, nor get them to see the light ... no matter how bad you want them to be normal ... they won't! Probably never! Get used to it.

4) Talk about happy subjects. Don't grip, complain, slander, or bad mouth any family members ... even if others do it, you be the bigger person and don't go there.

I love this quote: "Small people talk about other people, big people talk about plans, dream and goals"

5) Stay out of negative town ... that just brings the mood low... it's the Holiday Season ... just enjoy.

6) Most important: Remember that Thanksgiving and Christmas are all about JESUS! Need I say more?

Addicted to Connected

I heard a DJ on a local radio station here in KC talk about a caller who had called in complaining about her husband spending too much time on his cell phone (Blackberry is what she said actually). She went on to say that he is constantly checking it, sending texts, receiving texts, emails, etc. even while they are out on a date. She said he even sleeps with it under his pillow at night.

Okay, I use my phone a lot ... but I do not use it while on a date, nor do I sleep with it under my pillow for heaven's sakes. This caller's husband has an issue in my opinion. I think we may be a overly Addicted to Connected here.

I heard it said that years ago all the technology advancements were going to make it possible to get 40 hours of work done in 30 hours or less ... because all the "tools" and "advancements" were going to FREE US up ... our time that is... I have to laugh! All these advancements have only busied our lives. It has bettered our lives in many areas too, but like with most things good we must learn to steward them well.

So, are the "tools" to help free up your time doing that for you... or are they stealing time away from you, your spouse, your kids, your friends?

CONFESSION
Sometimes at the end of a long day I am tired, and was busy all day messing with the "tools" that really didn't help me accomplish my goals ... but I was busy!

In all things BALANCE!